The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that 2009 was another year of strong growth in the industry despite the economic recession.
They report overall U.S. solar electric capacity, including both photovoltaic and concentrating solar power installations, increased by some 37 percent. This was driven primarily by strong demand in the residential and utility-scale markets, state and federal policy advances, and declining technology prices. As a result, total solar industry revenue reached 4 billion dollars, a 36 percent increase over 2008.
Pointing to the importance of the technology to reducing greenhouse gasses while helping to stimulate the economy, the Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technology Program accelerates the development of solar technologies as energy sources for the nation and world.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-13 spacecraft has become the official GOES-EAST satellite, now perched some 22,300 miles above the equator; a prime location to spot potentially life-threatening weather affecting the eastern half of the nation, including tropical storm activity in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico.
NOAA officials say, just in time for the 2010 hurricane season, they now have one of the newest and most technologically advanced satellites closely tracking storms - from when they develop to when they dissipate.
The GOES-13 satellite replaced GOES-12, which NOAA is shifting to provide coverage for South America, as part of the Global Earth Observation System. GOES-13, launched in May 2006, is the first of three new NOAA geostationary environmental satellites in orbit.

The U.S. Military's unmanned aerial technology is becoming the envy of other nations. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has confirmed several allied nations...including Britain, Canada, Spain, Japan and South Korea... have all expressed interest in drone technology.
Each branch of the military has different uses for U-A-V's or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Rear Admiral Terry Kraft says the drones capabilities in persistence and covertness are particularly impressive. And, he says, unmanned Systems will be included in the Navy's 2011 budget and beyond.
They're in the process of introducing several new systems now, including the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (or BAMS), the Navy version of the Global Hawk.
In 2012, the Navy anticipates a breakthrough development when they land an unmanned tail-less aircraft onboard an aircraft carrier.

The plan includes the specific actions DOI will undertake to incorporate the key principles of transparency, collaboration and participation into its core mission. Deputy Assistant Secretary Andrew Jackson from the Office of Technology, Information and Business Services explains.